I smiled back, trying not to hug and kiss him on his mouth for bringing me here to my family.
“I’m going to come with you to give them a moment,” Alex said, following Truce out of the door.
I watched him swagger out of the room, feeling shit I knew I shouldn’t be feeling for my baby daddy’s brother. When my eyes shifted to my mother, she was staring at me and smiling.
“He likes you.”
I smiled. “He does, but not like that.”
“Girl, please. The way he was looking at you before he walked out of here told me everything I needed to know.”
“He’s Damien’s brother.”
“What?” both my mom and Jas said simultaneously.
I nodded with slight shame across my face because I liked Truce, too, but it was wrong.
“Tell us what happened, Jelly. And don’t leave anything out,” Jas said.
I sighed and proceeded to tell them every detail of what happened to me up until now. I went through the motions of being sad, embarrassed, humiliated, and frustrated. Damien had taken me on a wild ride, and I was so happy that Truce came to rescue me from the dragon’s tower.
“If you don’t give that man some coochie, I definitely will!” Jas shouted, and Mama slapped her on her thigh as I laughed at both of them. “Ow! That hurt!”
“It was supposed to. I don’t know how I raised such a darn freak.”
“Speaking of freaks… Married mama?” I asked.
“Alex and I happened right after you left. That man… Mm. He was my peace during my grieving of never hearing from you. I thought you were dead, Jela,” she said, solemnly.
“I know, and I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you. I was so wrapped up in his deceitful fairytale that I really did think you all were trying to ruin what I thought was a good thing.”
Jas shook her head. “We would have never stopped your happiness, Jela. Damien just looked sneaky and mean. I didn’t like him after the first year of y’all being together. Now, I know why. He was trying to break you before you even left here.”
“I’m just glad you’re home,” my mom said as she rocked Scottie in her arms. “But… what about this brother? What if he turns out to be just like his brother?” Mommy asked.
“He’s not. He beat Damien up before we left to come here. I know I’ll have to see Damien again, but Truce promised that he would protect me.”
“Baby, you don’t know that for sure. He seems nice, but he could very well be just like his brother—or worse. And I promise… I’ll kill him if he tries to hurt you in any way.”
“He won’t. I know you all don’t trust my judgment after what Dame did. Hell, I don’t trust my own judgment now. But… this thing with Truce feels safe—secure. I don’t get those vibes that I used to get with Damien with him. Truce is truly a godsend, and his family adores him.
“He treats his mom like she’s made of glass. You always said, ‘Watch how a man treats his mama.’ Damien barely spoke to his mom unless it was at the Sunday dinners we attended. AndScottie loves Truce. You should see those two together.” I smiled, looking at my baby sleeping soundly in her grandmother’s arms.
“Okay. I trust you, Jela. If you say he’s your knight in shining armor, then I’ll believe you. Just be careful with this. Truce may be the angel you needed, but don’t think that devil ain’t lurking, looking for a way to dismantle your happiness again.”
“I hear you, Mommy.”
Jas walked over and rubbed Scottlyn’s back. “I’m going to have to have a talk with Miss Scottie. I can't believe she hurt my feelings like that.”
“I think it’s because she saw me hugging and crying on Mommy. I swear, she’s super lovable. She’ll warm up to you. I promise.”
“It ain’t nothing. I’m just glad to have y’all back home.”
“Me too, sis.”
We spent the rest of the day in my mom’s hospital room until visiting hours were over. The doctor told us that she would be cleared to go home tomorrow, so I was happy about that. I didn’t want to leave my mom, but I knew I’d see her bright and early tomorrow.
I had gotten to know Alex, and I could see why my mom loved him so much. He was very attentive and funny, and I could tell he loved my mom. I was glad she finally had someone to love after losing the love of her life.
